According to Fu et al. (1980), this species is closely related to Abies beshanzuensis M.H.Wu, another novelty described around that time. Farjon and Rushforth (1989) classified A. ziyuanensis in section Momi, subsection Holophyllae, as its close affinity to A. chensiensis seemed more likely on morphological grounds. Liguo et al. (1999) reduced A. ziyuanensis to a variety of A. beshanzuensis. If this taxonomy is accepted, A. ziyuanensis would no longer be considered an extremely rare species, but a variety of a rare, but more widespread species. A recent phylogenetic study (Xiang et al. 2009) based on nuclear DNA sequence data (ITS regions) sampled A. ziyuanensis amongst 48 species. In this study it appeared to be closely related to A. homolepis and also to A. chensiensis.

Justification:
The extent of occurrence is less than 5,000 km2, it is known from four locations which are severely fragmented and there is continuing decline in the quality of the habitat due to a number of threats such as landslides and overgrazing by sheep and cattle. Furthermore, the entire population consist on fewer than 2,000 mature individuals and there are fewer than 250 individuals in the largest subpopulation. It is therefore listed as Endangered.

Abies ziyuanensis is a rare fir occurring on the highest mountains in Guangxi and on the border with Hunan, in a narrow belt between 1,650 m and 1,750 m asl. These mountains have a cool, very wet climate, with a mean annual temperature between 9.2º-12ºC, and a winter period of four to five months (November-March) in which the mean temperature is between -3º to -5º C (min. -10º). The weather is usually cloudy, with much fog, the annual precipitation is 2,100-2,400 mm and snow lasts from December through March. Abies ziyuanensis occurs, together with other conifers, scattered in a mixed forest dominated by deciduous broad-leaved trees. Above 1,700 m on Yuanbao Shan it is replaced by A. yuanbaoshanensis.

This species is only known from less than five localities, some in close proximity. As it occurs lower on the mountains, it was cut for timber in the past, but this has now mostly ceased. Present threats are landslides and overgrazing by sheep and cattle.

In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning Action Recovery plan:No Systematic monitoring scheme:NoIn-Place Land/Water Protection and Management Occur in at least one PA:Yes Area based regional management plan:No Invasive species control or prevention:NoIn-Place Species Management Harvest management plan:No Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly:No Subject to ex-situ conservation:NoIn-Place Education Subject to recent education and awareness programmes:No Included in international legislation:No Subject to any international management/trade controls:No